Ever since the Washington Capitals drafted the very talented Evgeny Kuznetsov out of Russia in the first round in 2010, fans in DC have been dreaming and at time drooling over the day day Kuznetsov would finally arrive.

That day might be right around the corner. Kuznetsov, who has been playing with Traktor in the KHL, was released from his contract on Thursday. It was announced by the KHL on their Facebook page (if you want to read the translation, RussianMachineNeverBreaks.com has you covered).

Next come negotiations with the Capitals on a contract and assuming that doesn't take all that long -- which it shouldn't being an entry-level deal -- the NHL. It's a trade-deadline acquisition of sorts, only they didn't give up anything for him and he's not a rental.

Alex Ovechkin said on Wednesday that he had just spoken to his compatriot and that it was just a matter of wait and see. That changes dramatically with the contract being terminated in the KHL, the big hurdle has been cleared.